Discusses research recently conducted by three Canadian researchers that involves professional practice, multicultural education, and media literacies. Details three very different studies focused on young children, providing evidence of the rich variety of research currently being undertaking in western Canada. (PM)

Explains the creation of a kindergarten volunteer program that helped identify students' level of technology skills. Notes that several workshops were held to explain what the kindergarten volunteers were to do in the classrooms. Proposes that the volunteers' help has caused the children (many of whom come from non-English-speaking backgrounds) to…

The Caregiver Information Project trained 200 clergy, lay religious volunteers, and social service providers about caregiving issues and ways to disseminate information to family caregivers. The project succeeded in improving knowledge about aging and caregiver issues, increasing perceived competence in working with family caregivers, and…

Studied whether volunteers in diverse organizations have different motivations and personal characteristics and whether volunteer and nonvolunteer students exhibit different motivational characteristics. Found that college student volunteers (N=199) differed in Holland type and motivational needs and that they differed from reported norms for…

Project SRS (Students Recruiting Students), a recruitment program developed by Old Dominion University in Norfolk, Virginia, is described. Student involvement in planning, directing, and implementing the program is discussed. (TE)

Teachers can nominate parents who have a variety of political and demographic characteristics to serve on school advisory committees. Administrators who have knowledge of group dynamics and of how adults learn will help committees succeed. Outlines basic principles for effective meetings. (MLF)

Describes the Kindergarten Intervention Program in Los Angeles, a model for recruiting, training, and supervising volunteers to help kindergarten students with special needs. Provides specific steps for initiating an early intervention mental health program using trained volunteers. (TE)

Reviews feminist theory and practice, spelling out implications for a feminist theory of social welfare containing both public and private realms. Uses these implications to examine a woman's grassroots voluntary organization that contains possibilities for rethinking societal responses to social welfare needs. (Author/LS)

Presents advice on how teachers can successfully tap into the pool of parent volunteers as a powerful educational resource, offering 14 proven ways to get parents involved and providing words of caution about 6 pitfalls to avoid. Advice from both teachers and parents is included. (SM)

Reports on a series of interviews conducted with elementary and secondary school educators on the use of public relations to inform and involve parents, friends, and other community members regarding educational technology programs. Topics include working with the media, the role of volunteers, and giving services back to the community. (LRW)

Notes increasing demands that foster care be incorporated into the formal economy as a professional salaried service. Examines some of the developments that lie behind those demands and discusses their implications. (HTH)

Paper expresses concern over the poor health of many Americans, anger that the situation is allowed to exist, and guilt that most people offer little remedy. Stresses the need for all Americans to commit to doing something with the belief that they can meaningfully improve their neighbors' health. (SM)

The national-service movement promises to become a source of democratic renewal. Participation can be seen as the practice of citizenship if the political realities are recognized. The movement could produce a new generation of public leaders with practical skills and concepts. (SLD)

Discusses the development of a national accreditation scheme for volunteer assessors in the expeditions section of the Duke of Edinburgh's Award program for young people. Stages of accreditation include wild country experience, introductory learning and preparation, accreditation weekend, and induction assessments. Performance criteria are…

Compares help older people give with patterns of help given by younger adults via analysis of interviews with married men and women. Suggests that older adults are less involved in helping kin and friends but volunteer more than younger adults and that gender is a significant and consistent predictor of caregiving. (CRR)